Fabrizio fast day-1 Phillip Island

During the Phillip Island Australia Test, on Sunday 21st February, in very warm conditions (air temperature 26°, track 34°), the Ducati Xerox riders Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio made the most of the track time during this, the first of two days of testing before the championship opens here next weekend.

In the first of the day’s sessions both riders were immediately comfortable, setting some very fast lap times right from the start. The team worked with Noriyuki and Michel to find a strong race pace and understand which tyres will work best in the Australian heat. Having completed more than 40 laps each in the morning, Noriyuki and Michel closed that particular session with the second and third fastest laps respectively, followed by the three private Ducatis of Checa, Lanzi and Byrne.

The Superbike riders returned to the track at 3.30, the asphalt having reached 41°. Despite the heat, both riders continued to make fast laps and towards the end of the session Michel was able to improve on his best time set this morning to close day one with the second fastest time overall. Nori spend the second part of the session testing Pirelli’s different solutions, and finished today in fourth place, just two tenths of a second behind his team-mate.

Noriyuki Haga Speaks…

"It’s been a positive day. We tried various things, making changes to the rear suspension setting and testing the different tyres on offer. The problem is being able to identify a direction during these test days that will also work next Sunday, it’s difficult to predict how the conditions will be in a week’s time. Anyway we’ve worked hard today and made some good progress."

Michel Fabrizio Speaks…

"It hasn’t gone badly today. We’ve worked mainly on tyres, trying to find a good race pace. We’re not quite there yet but we’ve made a good start and know what there is to do tomorrow. It’s very hot but after our recent cold and wet tests in Portimao and Valencia we can’t complain!"